A hilarious and clever LTTE to today's Boston Globe re: Manny

[sniffa]

We live in a world that has walls, big green walls that need to be guarded by men with gloves. Who's gonna do it? You, Jacoby Ellsbury? You, Jason Bay? Manny Ramírez has a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Tito Francona and curse Red Sox Nation; you have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what the players in the clubhouse know: that Manny's antics, while tragic, probably saved jobs and that Manny's existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, wins games. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want Manny in front of that wall, you need Manny batting cleanup.

Red Sox management uses words like honor, code, loyalty. They use them as the backbone of a team trying to defend their World Series title. Manny uses them as a punchline. Manny has neither the time nor the inclination to explain himself to a fan base that rises and sleeps hoping for another title and then questions the manner in which he helps provide it. Manny would rather you just said "thank you," and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest that you turn on NESN and watch Manny hit another home run. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to.

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/letters/articles/2008/08/02/we_cant_handle_the_truth/



:rofl:

[edbermac]

1. How'd he do last night?

Bay scored 2 runs for the Sox and Manny hits into a double play in the 9th inning.

[Chan790]

2. Love it...

I disagree but I love it anyways.

I think a Bay, Ellsbury, Drew outfield isn't just a good offensive OF (though less good than one of Ramirez, Ellsbury and Drew) but that it's arguably the best defensive OF in baseball. Three guys with great gloves, exceptional range and above-average arms. Yeah, that's a terrible thing to want in the confines of Fenway.

I'm not worried that not having Manny will cost us games...I thought (and I think last night showed) in a lineup where you have to be careful about how you pitch Bay, he'd be an .OBP machine. The sort in this lineup that forces opposing pitchers to have to pitch in tough situations constantly. He's patient at the plate, draws walks, hits well for contact, has some pop to his bat and runs well. Oh wait...I've seen that description before:

Youkilis: Check.
Ellsbury: Check.
Pedroia: Check.
Drew: Check.
Lowell: Check.

I think he's going to fit in just fine. We just need two more like him...one of whom can play behind the plate.

[sniffa]

3. It seems Manny had become a cancer

They got rid of one in 2004 (and fans were furious) and they went on to win the WS.

[SoxFan]

4. The catching situation worries me

Jason Varitek has ben a great catcher for the last 10 years, but he's obviously losing his offensive pop, and his ability to throw out baserunners has gone way downhill. He is still the best "pitcher's catcher" in baseball, however, and has done a nice job developing young arms like Jon Lester, Manny Delcarmen, and Jonathan Papelbon.

Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of options in the system. Pawtucket catcher George Kottaras doesn't have a good bat, and it isn't until you get to low-A Greenville that there are any bright spots.